PETROL RATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 February 1941, Page 8

PETROL RATION

NEED TOR ECONOMY WARNING BY MINISTER. ALLOCATION FOR NEXT TWO MONTHS. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Five petrol coupons, number 22. 23 24. 25 and 26. will be available to motorists for the months of March and April. Making this announcement last night, the Minister of Supply. Mr Sullivan. said this was on the same basis as obtained for January and February. The petrol position, he added, was causing the Government grave concern. and though it was making thi» same amount of petrol available to motorists in March and April as it didin January and February, the Government felt that it was necessary to warn all petrol users of 'the urgency of the demand noth here and overseas, and to appeal for the utmost possible economy in petrol consumption during the next few months. "Intensified, conservation of petrol by users is now more than ever a matter of immediate importance to the security of the State in New Zealand while the information gained as a result of our close and continuous consultation with the United Kingdom on this matter leaves no doubt whatever as to the opinion of the British Government that we can materially assist their war effort by reducing our petrol consumption during the next few months.’ 'said Mr Sullivan. "Wo have no desire to impose unnecessary restrictions; indeed, we will do all possible to make available as much petrol as possible, but the position is unquestionably serious. “Unless there is a material improvement in the petrol situation during March and April, it is very probable that it will be necessary to make a reduction in petrol consumption at the beginning of May. In fact, any serious dislocation of shipping in the Pacific will make an immediate review of the position necessary. "While, therefore, the Government is making the same petrol available in March and April as in January and February I sincerely appeal to all motorists, whether licence-holders or cooupen-users. to exercise the greatest possible economy in the use of petrol, and assist the war effort by conserving petrol to the maximum. Eliminate all unnecessary running, and if it is not essential to use your coupons destroy them and do not transfer them to your friends.

"Every' gallon saved is a gallon toward the war effort, and I confidently look forward to the co-operation of motorists in keeping the consumption of motor spirit down to an absolute minimum. "It is equally important that all waste arising from overlapping in delivery of commodities be eliminated or substantially reduced, said the Minister. "1 ask the commercial and producing communities to assist to the utmost in this essential matter. Unless the community heeds this request the petrol position will become alarming within the next two months.”